Free Lover of My Dreams by Lynnette Bernard Page B

“Don’t worry. You’ll like it,” he whispered before his mouth covered hers again.
    In one final attempt to get away from him she managed to pull her wrists free from his hold and wedge her hands between their bodies. She pushed out at him with all her strength. He was surprised momentarily at her surge of strength and rolled back on the bed, still holding on to her arm.
    “Rachel, grow up,” he told her, impatiently. “Come here and kiss me and all will be forgiven.”
    It was obvious to her that his impatience was quickly turning to rage. He tried to pull her toward him but she pulled her arm free and stood up to back away from the bed. The room was beginning to close in on her. She willed her panic under control. Richard didn’t look charming and handsome to her right then. He looked dark and threatening. What she saw in his face was frightening. The raw anger that looked back at her scared her more than anything had ever scared her in her entire life. She knew she was in a very dangerous situation.
    She turned to run, feeling as if she were moving in slow motion. Before she could move away he reached up, grabbed her arm and pulled her back down onto the bed. In one quick movement he pinned her down with his body once again. The gold chain that she wore became a weapon as he twisted it in his hand until it squeezed her throat tightly, making it difficult for her to breath. Rachel cried out silently at the pain and struggled furiously against the continuing pressure. She realized that there was only one possible outcome of this struggle. She was going to lose.
    She pushed at his chest in a futile attempt to stop him. He was so strong. She couldn’t get him away from her. The gold chain cut into her neck, drawing blood. He was holding her body tightly, enjoying her struggling and fear, smiling down at her as if waiting patiently for her to stop her temper tantrum and finally submit to him.
    When her strength all but left her, she sagged in his arms. He released his hold on her, letting the gold chain fall from his hand to cascade down the side of her throat to the bed beneath her. He knew that she couldn’t fight him anymore. He leaned down and traced the outline of her lips with his tongue then covered her mouth with his and plunged inside it savagely.
    Rachel’s mind raced frantically. She had to do something. She reached up with her right hand and rested it lightly against his cheek. Her tenderness confused him for a moment then he smiled against her mouth in triumph and relaxed his hold on her.
    She took advantage of the reprieve and raked her nails across his face, relieved momentarily when he pulled back in shock and pain. He stood then, furious, and pulled her roughly to her feet, slapping her face with the back of his hand. Rachel staggered back from the force of the blow and reached up to hold her right cheek. When she looked back at him she could not contain the disgust and revulsion that she had for him.
    She lowered her hand and stood straight to look at him calmly. She couldn’t believe that she had ever thought that he might be a part of her future. She couldn’t stand the sight of him. Any fear that she had of him had been beaten down by this final act of violence and control. Now she was just seriously pissed off. That would serve her well.
    “Get back into that bed and don’t be such a baby,” he told her angrily. “Do you think you’re so far above me that you can’t give me what I want? You’re lucky I ever gave you the time of day. You’re thirty years old and you’re a hick from some obscure town. Do you really think anyone would want you?”
    Rachel looked at him silently. Her head was still pounding from the blow to her cheek but it was surprisingly clear to her what she had to do. She knew what kind of a person she was dealing with, and she had only one option. She rather enjoyed the option too.
    “It’s okay, Rachel,” he whispered as he fondled her exposed right breast.